Hello! My name is Shannon. I live in the desert with my husband Scott and 3 kids (Conner, Payton, Anna). I have been blogging since 2005 and I love to write about my family, everyday life, dating my husband, projects and parties, memory keeping, being a mom, faith, setting and working towards goals, and finding joy in the journey.

Thank you so much for dropping by!

Thomas S. Monson
- I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and non-existent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey -- now.

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a mighty camping girl

Girls Camp happened this week. It was Anna's first year. And she ROCKED it.

She had the best attitude about everything.

She was excited about all of the activities and chants and skits and hikes.

I know people will say that is pretty typical for first year campers. But she went above & beyond and did some pretty amazing/brave things for an 11.5 year old girl. She was the youngest girl at camp this year! The cut-off for camp is September 30th, and her 12th birthday is on September 29th

When there was work to do -- a service project of clearing weeds & invasive plants, cleaning the porta potties, or helping with kitchen duty -- she was right there and all over it. Give this girl a pick ax and she'll be happy all day.

One day we went on a hike. Another group did the same hike in the morning and we heard harrowing tales of a steep climb at the end of the trail. When Anna reached the hill, er, mountain (this straight up climb was no joke!) she attacked it and hiked the entire way up without stopping. And she loved it. I, on the other hand, took many breaks.

She got to shoot air soft guns and throw daggers

practice archery,

paddle in canoes & wade in a muddy lake,

slide down a zipline,

and learn how to be a flying squirrel. Always so anxious and excited to participate in each one.

Friday night our ward had to put on a skit for the whole camp. That day many of the girls in our small group got sick and 10 minutes before we were called on stage one of the main roles was passed to Anna. She ROCKED it. She was just amazing and did such a good job having never read the script before. And it wasn't without nerves . . . later she told me that as she held the script she was trying so hard to keep her hands from shaking. I'll tell ya -- this mom right here was beaming from ear to ear.

That night we had a testimony meeting in our camp. The bishop started things off and after a long pause, Anna broke the silence and was the first young woman in our group to bear her own testimony. That. was. not. easy. I could see the fear, nervousness, and tension in her face & in her whole body as she worked up the courage to speak up . . . . but she did it. Again, this mom had tears streaming down her cheek.

Needless to say, as we left camp I was so so incredibly proud of her.

I love that she finds joy in everything. I love that she is fearless. I love that she always gives her best effort. I love that she is willing to step out of her comfort zone. I love that she is motivated to learn & do & take advantage of every opportunity given to her. I love that she is helpful & considerate & thoughtful (you should have seen her handmade Secret Sister gifts!). I love that she will dig deep and do hard things. She does what she knows is right and does not follow the crowd. Basically, I just love her.

Comments

Girls Camp happened this week. It was Anna's first year. And she ROCKED it.

She had the best attitude about everything.

She was excited about all of the activities and chants and skits and hikes.

I know people will say that is pretty typical for first year campers. But she went above & beyond and did some pretty amazing/brave things for an 11.5 year old girl. She was the youngest girl at camp this year! The cut-off for camp is September 30th, and her 12th birthday is on September 29th

When there was work to do -- a service project of clearing weeds & invasive plants, cleaning the porta potties, or helping with kitchen duty -- she was right there and all over it. Give this girl a pick ax and she'll be happy all day.

One day we went on a hike. Another group did the same hike in the morning and we heard harrowing tales of a steep climb at the end of the trail. When Anna reached the hill, er, mountain (this straight up climb was no joke!) she attacked it and hiked the entire way up without stopping. And she loved it. I, on the other hand, took many breaks.

She got to shoot air soft guns and throw daggers

practice archery,

paddle in canoes & wade in a muddy lake,

slide down a zipline,

and learn how to be a flying squirrel. Always so anxious and excited to participate in each one.

Friday night our ward had to put on a skit for the whole camp. That day many of the girls in our small group got sick and 10 minutes before we were called on stage one of the main roles was passed to Anna. She ROCKED it. She was just amazing and did such a good job having never read the script before. And it wasn't without nerves . . . later she told me that as she held the script she was trying so hard to keep her hands from shaking. I'll tell ya -- this mom right here was beaming from ear to ear.

That night we had a testimony meeting in our camp. The bishop started things off and after a long pause, Anna broke the silence and was the first young woman in our group to bear her own testimony. That. was. not. easy. I could see the fear, nervousness, and tension in her face & in her whole body as she worked up the courage to speak up . . . . but she did it. Again, this mom had tears streaming down her cheek.

Needless to say, as we left camp I was so so incredibly proud of her.

I love that she finds joy in everything. I love that she is fearless. I love that she always gives her best effort. I love that she is willing to step out of her comfort zone. I love that she is motivated to learn & do & take advantage of every opportunity given to her. I love that she is helpful & considerate & thoughtful (you should have seen her handmade Secret Sister gifts!). I love that she will dig deep and do hard things. She does what she knows is right and does not follow the crowd. Basically, I just love her.